KUALA LUMPUR, Apr 4 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today apologised for the delay in tabling the Tobacco Products and Smoking Control Bill in the Dewan Rakyat.
He said this was due to several MPs who have requested that some of the provisions in the Bill be studied again, which then warranted further discussions.
“The Bill which was initially introduced received a lot of negative feedback from the MPs, they are not rejecting but in principle, we will continue with the tabling of the Bill. We do have a strong stand to table the Bill, and our decision is clear, as for the delay, I would like to apologise for that as a few MPs have requested that the few provisions be reviewed.
“Due to the many objections, I have suggested that the health minister re-negotiate with the MPs and health bodies in detail, for the purpose of tabling the Bill and not delaying the Bill, by this year.
“For a better understanding and agreement on several provisions in the Bill, specifically its implementation that is considered as too harsh, I see that it is rational to give some room for MPs to have a discussion either through the public select committee or other means,” Anwar told the Parliament today during the Prime Minister’s Question Time.
As of now, Anwar said the Customs Department will continue to control the distribution of vape liquids containing nicotine, at the same time, gave assurance that the law will be tabled in the next Parliament sitting in May.
He was responding to PAS’ Kuala Langat MP Datuk Ahmad Yunus Hairi on the government’s justification for the removal of liquid and gel nicotine products used in electronic cigarettes from the Poisons Act 1952.
Ahmad Yunus also asked a supplementary question as to whether there were measures to make these substances illegal.
“Although I am not a doctor, I do understand your sentiments, and I agree that we should heighten awareness regarding this matter, however, to take drastic measures such as making the substances illegal, there is no country out there that has been able to do so.
“That is because people made a choice to smoke despite anti-smoking campaigns that have been deployed. So, while our campaign is done in moderation, we will carry on with the tax so that we can control the vast distribution of the substances and prevent it from being obtained at cheap prices,” he said.
Another supplementary question asked by DAP’s Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii was whether the government could consider channelling the “sin tax” from the sales of nicotine liquids to aid the treatment of patients in the country.
In this matter, Anwar said for now, according to his previous announcement in the Budget 2023, 50 per cent of tax returns from this tax will be channelled towards the Health Ministry’s healthy recovery measures.
“As for the other suggestions, we will deliberate on this,” Anwar said.
